Gjorge Ivanov

The president of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is criticizing top US and EU officials for backing a referendum on changing his country's name.

President Gjorge Ivanov urged his compatriots not to vote on Sunday, calling the name change a "noose" and a "flagrant violation of sovereignty."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Macedonians to seize the opportunity for a breakthrough in the country's Euro-Atlantic perspective and take part in the forthcoming September 30 referendum on the "name" agreement with Greece.

"Do not stay at home on September 30, on this historic day," Merkel said at a joint press conference with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.

US President Donald Trump joined the ranks of international leaders who are supporting the name deal signed by Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the Prespes lake region in June, noting that "it paves the way for Macedonia's membership in both NATO and the EU."

US President Donald Trump has described the name deal between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as a "historic" one that will boost security, stability and prosperity in the entire region.

A national holiday in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia hasn't given the prime minister and president a day off from disagreeing about a deal to rename the country North Macedonia.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev urged his countrymen on Thursday - the 115th anniversary of a failed rebellion against Ottoman Turkey - to support the agreement with Greece in a Sept. 30 referendum.

Romania's Prime Minister Viorica Dancila is starting today a three-day Western Balkans tour that includes official visits to Montenegro and Macedonia, where she is scheduled to meet state officials.

Balkan leaders were high on the foreign guest list as Turkey's strongman for 16 years, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was sworn in as President once again at the country's parliament in Ankara on Monday.

US Vice President Mike Pence will speak on the phone with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at 10 p.m. (Greek time) on Thursday, and half an hour later with the Prime Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Zoran Zaev, Pence's office announced.

The Parliament of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) approved for the second time the deal signed with Greece on the country's name, which had been returned to the House after the country's President Gjorge Ivanov refused to rubber-stamp the first decree.

The head of the right-wing Independent Greeks party has indicated he is prepared to bring down the coalition government over the issue, the AP is reporting.

The agreement reached between Greek and Macedonian prime ministers has been met with opposition and protests in both countries. At the same time, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov is refusing to sign the deal.